Can these Patriots Win the SB Without Gronk?

[Bergs]

Won by only a single score seven times as well (three for Denver) and won four times on last minute scores.

Calls didn't cost the Pats two wins either. They would have had to score from the one in Carolina and score vs the Jets. Maybe 1-1.2 wins on average if you think both calls were clearly wrong.

Even if the Pats had won those two, Denver was pretty clearly the better regular season team. Point differential was 100 points better and all the advanced metrics favor Denver. They scored 600 points.

 
Bolded is factually incorrect.

 

[Super Nomario]

 
Bolded is factually incorrect.

???

 

[dbn]

Well, they might not have Gronk but they have Mulligan and the support of Hogan, so there's that.

 

[Stitch01]

 
Bolded is factually incorrect.

They were tied when the call was made in OT and would have gotten the ball back close to midfield.  They didnt have to score to avoid a loss, but they had to score to win the game. If you are talking about not calling the similar Jet infraction in the 4th quarter, the Pats would have had to score to win the game in regulation there.  What am I missing?

 

[Bergs]

They were tied when the call was made in OT and would have gotten the ball back close to midfield.  They didnt have to score to avoid a loss, but they had to score to win the game. If you are talking about not calling the similar Jet infraction in the 4th quarter, the Pats would have had to score to win the game in regulation there.  What am I missing?

 
That I'm a fucking idiot...apparently an idiot with early onset Alzheimer's disease.

 

[Stitch01]

Well, that's an explanation I can relate to.  Thanks.

 

[dcmissle]

So barring the upset, we get Cincy. That will be interesting. The mediot comparison immediately drawn will be that Ravens team that ate our lunch when Rice went 80+ yards on the first play from scrimmage. Problem is, this Pats team is the polar opposite of that one, which easily was the most dislikeable Pats team during BBs tenure.

 

[j44thor]

So barring the upset, we get Cincy. That will be interesting. The mediot comparison immediately drawn will be that Ravens team that ate our lunch when Rice went 80+ yards on the first play from scrimmage. Problem is, this Pats team is the polar opposite of that one, which easily was the most dislikeable Pats team during BBs tenure.

Why not last year's ravens team that also ate our lunch once Talib left?  What scares me about CIN is they have 3 huge WR that provide a nightmare matchup.  I don't think Talib can single cover Green and even if he can that leaves Sanu and Marvin Jones for a hobbled Denard and Arrington.

 

[Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt]

I don't think Talib can single cover Green and even if he can that leaves Sanu and Marvin Jones for a hobbled Denard and Arrington.

Actually, I think at this point the likely (and, IMO, preferred) choice would be Talib with Logan Ryan over a hobbled Dennard, and maye over Arrington, as well, as he is hobbled, too, and, um...crappy-ish -- or, at least, better in the slot.

 

[Stitch01]

Secondary is likely to be the healthiest it has been in months. I'll be surprised if its the leading factor in a Pats loss

 

[amarshal2]

I'm really hoping Dennard can come back healthy and play well. He's easily the second best corner and could be a real difference maker in what will probably be some very close games. They will definitely need him to cover Decker if they play Denver.